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Lakeland Regional Health Works to Make Sure People Don’t Delay Care Over COVID-19 Fears By PAUL CATALA As coronavirus fears have grown throughout the nation, it has become clear there is a different trend starting, and it brings with it some dangers of its own. By late March, physicians and nurses in hospital rooms and…
Skin Smarts

Protect Your Skin From the Brutal Summer Sun by TERESA SCHIFFER Living in Central Florida, we are acutely aware of the effects of the sun. They don’t call us the “Sunshine State” for nothing! As wonderful as it is to bask in the warm glow of the sun day after day, too much sun exposure…
Pop Quiz: Prepare for Summer With Facts on Heat Stroke, Heat Exhaustion

Florida’s brutal summer is upon us, and that means heat exhaustion and heat stroke are real and present dangers every day. Florida’s high temperatures, intense sunshine, and ever-present humidity are a recipe for heat-related illnesses. Take our quiz on heat exhaustion and heat stroke and arm yourself with knowledge to prevent these life-threatening emergencies. 1.)…

Smoking Hurts More Than Your Lungs

I cannot really believe that the holidays are upon us already. This year has been like no other with its usual mix of pain and pleasure. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize the role of lifestyle in the management of vascular disease that can lend a sense of control in its otherwise…
What Is Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD?

by NADER MOINFAR, M.D., M.P.H. Geographic atrophy (GA) is an advanced form of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In general, AMD is a disease that progresses in stages. Patients with advanced AMD experience vision loss from either excess ﬂuid and blood (wet AMD) or the death of cells (GA). It is estimated that 1.5 million…
Understanding Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a “weakening” or “dilatation” in a part of an artery. An estimated 15,000 people die of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) every year in the US. About 200,000 new cases of AAA are diagnosed every year. Most of these are diagnosed by tests that are done for unrelated reasons. The aorta is…